Transport in Animals (Edexcel GCSE Biology)

Topic Questions

1a
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1 mark

Organisms must transport substances to and from the external environment.

Identify one substance which cells must transport across the cell membrane to support cell functions.

1b
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2 marks

The diagram shows particles of two gases.

diffusion-1
(i)

Complete the diagram by drawing the arrangement of the gas particles after 1 hour.

(1)

(ii)

Name the process shown in part (i).

(1)

1c
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3 marks

Describe an example of where movement of gases as shown in part (b) is important in multicellular organisms.

1d
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1 mark

Separate: Biology Only

Identify one feature of a gas exchange surface which maximises the rate of particle movement by the mechanism shown in part (b).

(1)

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2a
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2 marks

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The diagram shows two cells.

adapted-for-diffusion-1

Identify the feature of cell X which makes it better adapted for diffusion than cell Y.

2b
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2 marks

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Give two factors, other than any discussed in part (a), that affect the rate of diffusion across a membrane.

2c
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2 marks

Identify one example of an exchange surface found in the human body and name one substance which moves across this exchange surface.

2d2 marks

Figure 1 shows a single celled organism called an amoeba. An amoeba does not possess any transport systems such as those seen in the human body.

amoeba-sq-1

Figure 1

Explain why this amoeba does not require a specialist transport system to obtain the substances that it requires

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3a1 mark

Multicellular organisms, such as humans, use transport systems to deliver substances such as oxygen and glucose around the body.

Name the transport system which moves oxygen and glucose around the body.

3b
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2 marks

Fill in the table to correctly identify the transport tissues found in plant transport systems.

Transport Tissue Role of transport tissue
  Moves water and minerals from roots and shoots
  Moves sugars and amino acids around the plant
3c
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3 marks

Identify the three transport processes used for exchange of substances across the cell membrane.

3d
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3 marks

Separate: Biology Only

Figure 1 shows a structure found within the human gas exchange system.


gas-exchangegas-exchange

Figure 1

(i)

Identify the structure shown in Figure 1.

(1)

(ii)

The structure in Figure 1 has a good blood supply. 

Explain how this helps to ensure efficient gas exchange.

(2)

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4a
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3 marks

Separate: Biology Only

Fick’s law states that:

rate of diffusion ∝ (surface area x concentration gradient) ÷ diffusion distance

Name the adaptations of the human lungs which affect the three variables within Fick's law and ensure an efficient rate of diffusion.

4b
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2 marks

Separate: Biology Only

Discuss how changes in environmental conditions can affect the rate of gas exchange in organisms, referring to Fick's law.

4c
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1 mark

Contrast the surface area to volume ratios in single-celled organisms and multicellular organisms.  

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5a
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2 marks

A student was studying the surface area to volume ratio of three different organisms A, B and C which can be seen in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Organism A B C
Surface area/ mm2 0.36 4 14
Volume/ mm3 0.03 0.5 7
Surface area to volume ratio 12:1 8:1 2:1

Using Table 1 above and your own knowledge, suggest which organism would benefit from a transport system. 

Justify your answer.

5b
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2 marks

The student determined the rate of oxygen uptake for the three organisms as:

5.0 cm3 g -1 h-1
0.3 cm3 g -1 h-1
12.0 cm3 g -1 h-1

Suggest which of the three oxygen uptakes would be for organism C and give a reason why.

5c
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2 marks

Explain how cellular factors, such as size, shape, and membrane characteristics, influence the rate of diffusion of oxygen across cell membranes.

5d
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3 marks

Explain the significance of the rate of oxygen diffusion in the respiratory system of an organism.

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1a
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2 marks

Monoglycerides are a type of lipid molecule. They are absorbed into the epithelial cells of the small intestine by diffusion across the cell membrane.

Some people suffer from coeliac disease, a condition that affects the lining of the small intestine. Figure 1 compares the lining of the small intestine of a healthy person with that of a person suffering from coeliac disease.

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Figure 1

Use the information provided to explain the effect that coeliac disease would have on the absorption of monoglycerides.

1b
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3 marks

The graph shows the rate of uptake of monoglycerides in the small intestine.

monoglycerides-1

Describe and explain the trend shown in the graph.

1c
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2 marks

Human core body temperature is approximately 37 °C.

Suggest why a temperature of 37 °C helps to maximise the rate of transport of substances across cell membranes.

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2a
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2 marks

Figure 1 below shows a cross section taken through a capillary using an electron microscope.

capillary-micrograph

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Figure 1

Identify the structures labelled X and Y in Figure 1.

2b
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3 marks

Describe the pathway taken by oxygen in Figure 1.

2c
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3 marks

Table 1 below contains information about the oxygen concentration in different locations within the human body.

Table 1

Location Oxygen concentration / %
Capillary at arterial end 12.9
Capillary at venous end 5.2
Brain cell 4.1
Muscle cell 3.3
Kidney cell 6.9
Liver cell 7.4

(i)

Between which two locations in Table 1 would the fastest diffusion take place?

(1)

(ii)

Use your knowledge of Fick's law to explain your answer to part (i)

(2)

2d
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4 marks

Oxygen diffuses from the arterial end of a capillary into pancreatic cells at a rate of 0.0002 g/s.

Calculate the rate of diffusion if the exchange surface changes in the following ways:

Give your answers to 2 significant figures.

(i)

The diffusion distance becomes 3x longer

(1)

(ii)

The available surface area increases by 40 %

(1)

(iii)

The difference in concentration decreases by 20 % and the diffusion distance becomes 1.5x longer

(2)

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1a4 marks

Unicellular organisms such as bacteria, can obtain oxygen from their surrounding environment through simple diffusion across the cell membrane.

In larger multicellular organisms, the distance from their surface to their centre is relatively long. Consequently, atmospheric oxygen cannot diffuse into the cells in the centre of the organism as they are too far away.

(i)
Describe how multicellular animals have adapted to facilitate transport of oxygen to cells.

(2)
(ii)
Describe two ways in which the human small intestine is adapted for absorbing dissolved food molecules.
(2)
1b
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2 marks

Calculate the surface area : volume ratio of a cube that has a side length of 3cm.

1c3 marks

Describe the features that make a gas exchange surface efficient.

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2a
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6 marks

Figure 1 shows three cubes with sides of length 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm, the cubes represent imaginary cells.

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Figure 1

During an exam, a student looked at Figure 1 and wrote the following statement:

"as cells get bigger their surface area to volume ratio gets bigger"

(i)
Explain why the students statement is incorrect. Use the information in Figure 1 and show calculations in your answer.
(3)
(ii)
Complete the missing information in Figure 2 
(3)
Cube size (cm) Surface area (cm2) Volume (cm3) Surface area : Volume ratio
1      
2      
3      

Figure 2

2b6 marks

Explain which factors affect the rate of diffusion of molecules into and out of cells. Make reference to Fick's law in your answer.

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3a2 marks

A cell membrane has a thickness of 10 nm.

Explain how the rate of diffusion will change if the cell membrane thickness changed to 5 nm

3b4 marks

Many small molecules such as carbon dioxide and oxygen can pass across the cell membrane through diffusion.

Figure 1 shows two scenarios A and B in which molecule X can diffuse across the cell membrane.

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Figure 1

(i)

 State whether the rate of diffusion of molecule X would be higher in scenario A or B.

(1)
(ii)
Explain your reasoning to part (i)
(3)
3c2 marks
(i)
Read the following statement.

"The rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the concentration difference".
State what the term 'directly proportional' means.
(1)
(ii)
Draw a line on Figure 2 to represent the linear relationship between rate of diffusion and the difference between two concentrations (concentration gradient).
(1)

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Figure 2

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